Thursday, February 25, 2010

Hello everyone. I am back from my whirlwind trip to Amelia Island, Florida. It was a bit of a nightmarish travel experience, but it was well worth it.

The events for Harlequin's Sales Conference were lovely even if it was a bit chilly. I could smell the ocean from my... but I didn't get to dip my toe in it. I spoke on Wednesday evening as the representative of Harlequin's new Non-Fiction Health & Fitness department. My book will be debuting very soon! I also hosted a Q & A session followed by a book signing. On Thursday morning bright & early I ran a training session for the group. The challenge was: no weights! Wow! I'm a Sister in Iron. What am I without my weights? Well, I am the master of weight bearing exercise apparently! Push ups, lunges, squats, dips, core strengthening, stretching, cardio, etc etc.... you name it, we did it! What a great time it was whipping everyone into shape. Even without music we all managed to stay energized and motivated throughout the entire session. Phewf!!!

Now I am home sweet home and counting down.

That's right... the Arnolds Sports Festival & Expo is literally 1 week away. This time next week I will be aboard a bus bound for Columbus, Ohio with the rest of the fabulous Robert Kennedy Publishing team. I just can't wait! Now it's time to tighten up my diet plan... Cooler 1 here I come. I'll also be putting my nose to the grindstone work wise with my team in order to make this the best Arnold experience yet.

I really hope you are planning on joining us. As I've been saying for the last couple of weeks I really want to hear all of your success stories, experiences, and journeys with the Eat-Clean Diet. YOU are what makes it REAL!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Okay folks. I am prepping for a WHIRLWIND trip to Amelia Island, Florida starting tomorrow for Harlequin's Sales Conference. I don't even know if I'll see the sun during this trip, but I sure hope I do. I'm speaking and running a training session. It will be nice to leave the snow behind even if I won't get to lay in the sun. Is anyone else ready for spring time? I am!

I spent the weekend watching the Olympics, cooking some delicious meals, and training for my triathlon.

Have you been watching the Olympics and cheering for your teams?

My family and I have been glued to the television and wishing we could be there. I'm sure part of it is because the games are on Canadian soil. My daughter, Kiersten, has been having the time of her life volunteering in Whistler. She had her last shift today stationed at the ski jump. I'm one of those crazy fans who can't even watch the TV during intense races. It's pretty hilarious. I get so excited.

Okay... off to bed now. I need some rest before the next 2 days fly by.

Friday, February 19, 2010

On Tuesday I gave a talk at the Millcroft Inn in Alton, Ontario. The event was entirely in support of the Headwaters Health Care Board. Thank you to Booklore, Harmony Whole Foods and the Millcroft Inn for organizing the event. It was a great success. We had delicious treats from the Eat-Clean Diet Cookbook & the Eat-Clean Diet for Family & Kids. Yummy! The audience was fabulous and we had a great Q & A session. Main message of the evening: keep the flax & broccoli and kick the sugar!

Me and my eager listeners. There was excellent audience participation!

The organizers of the event and I. We presented an $800 cheque to Headwaters Health Care Board. Woohoo!

Talking with a few very special guests during the signing after the talk. Thank you to everyone for waiting so patiently. I like to take my time with each person, hear their story, and hope to inspire them further to reach for their dreams. This is my favorite part!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

I'm trying to plan out my outfits, since I have no intention of rocking my booty shorts and sports bra. I don't know why I struggle with outfit selection, but I do. Any ideas out there?

I've been training super hard in the gym for my triathlon, but also keeping my weights up in order to be in tip top shape for the Arnold. I've been watching my bread intake, too. The Arnold is all about looking your best. I'll be restricting down to Cooler 1 starting next week.

What else: More appearance things... I've taken care of my hair, nails, feet & even had my pearly whites polished just this morning. And I'm working on some ideas for the exercise demonstrations I'll be doing on the booth. Is there anything in particular you want to see?

My team is working extra hard on booth design, giveaways, T-shirts, and more to make it as welcoming as possible.

Emails are pouring in from readers who are preparing for the event themselves. I am really excited to read about all the different success stories making their way to the Arnold to share their story with me. What a thrill the Eat-Clean Diet has changed so many lives!

Question #1 from my readers: Where is the booth? Answer: Join us at Booths 1233-1235 & 1332-1334.

I'm also organizing lots of press for the event... TV, newspapers, etc.

My eye is always on the long term goal, though. My triathlon is only a few months away and I want to be able to get my training in while I'm in Columbus, Ohio for the Arnold. This requires lots of planning ahead. Good thing that is one of my specialties! I will do my best to get a great workout in at least once during the INCREDIBLY busy Arnold weekend.

Please come and join us. It's a really wonderful and educational time and I can't wait to meet ALL of you!

Monday, February 15, 2010

My husband and I jumped around the city getting as much done as possible for work. It was great and we got a lot accomplished.I was really excited to meet with the crew at Good Morning America, again. They are always so welcoming. I did a tape-ahead segment focusing on Eat-Clean Diet Meals for a Family of 4 for Under $10.00 (!!) and I did a demo of my Spanish Potato Omelette from The Eat-Clean Diet® Recharged. I'll let you know when this is going to air.

I forgot to mention in my last post that I did a stint on Martha Stewart Radio and on Mancow's Morning Madhouse radio program. I did them from home since the snow kept me from going into each of their NYC studios. Did anyone get a chance to listen in? I would have let you all know ahead of time, but as I said, things have been a little bit last minute due to the weather. I'll post pictures and links as soon as I can.

In the meantime, here are some links to some interviews and news pieces I've been a part of over the last few weeks.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

I'm sitting on the plane right now waiting for it to take off for NYC. We're certainly hoping we get there in one piece. It's going to be all work and no play while in the city. Maybe we'll have one nice dinner out. We're basically going to hit the ground running to make up for lost time. Tomorrow I will with Good Morning America, but I don't know if it's live or a tape ahead at this point. I'll also be stopping by Martha Stewart Living Radio, but I'm not sure what time this will be either. I apologize for my confusion. Things are very up in the air because of the weather and my delay getting into the city. I did an intense weights workout last night and cardio today to keep my momentum up. I don't think I will have ANY time to exercise in NYC... But we'll see. Thanks to all of you for your song selections. They really help me fill out my music collection. How very motivational! I'll keep you posted. I think we're taking off soon... Better turn my phone off.-Tosca

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Thanks to the snow currently slamming NYC my flight was canceled. We are hoping to get out tomorrow to resume our schedule of events planned for the Big Apple. In the meantime, I am home working away like a busy little bee on the all the projects I thought I would be leaving until the weekend. Of course I will be including a monster training session into my little snow day.

Here's what I'll be grooving to to get me through (some of these are classic favorites of mine and some are suggestions from my kids who keep me as up-to-date as possible):

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Here is a great read for the men in your life. There is lots of information related to men's health and fitness. So whether it's for you or for the man you love you'll be in for a treat! How perfect since Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Eating a clean diet really does work wonders! Enjoy!

Monday, February 8, 2010

Welcome to the start of another fabulous week. We're heading into a very exciting month between the Super Bowl, the upcoming Olympic Games, and lots of travel for me and the Eat-Clean Diet. Coming up this week... travel to NYC for Martha Stewart Living Radio and more... I'll share lots of details later. In the meantime, I have listed some special moments for me and the Eat-Clean Diet:

Thanks to Marie Claire UK who has names the Eat-Clean Diet as one of their top ten diets (er, lifestyles) of 2010!!!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

If you're like me you're pretty happy when the weekend arrives. Although I often have appearances on the weekend, I like knowing my husband will be home and some of my children might even stop by every now and then. This weekend my husband and I were especially social. On Friday night we had dinner with my husband's cousin Tony and his wife Joni. They are a hilarious couple and we love spending time with them. On Saturday we had another dinner date with some of my friends.

Since February can be an especially BLAH time of year it's important to make lots of social plans to keep our spirits up. Today I've gone to visit my daughter Kelsey-Lynn in Kingston. We're having some lovely mother-daughter time. My other daughter who attends Queen's along with Kelsey-Lynn isn't here today. She's spending the month of February in Whistler, BC as a volunteer for the 2010 Olympic Games. She's been keeping all of us posted on her adventures thus far. She even tried skiing for the 1st time in 12 years. What a little adventurer!

Hope you're enjoying your Super Bowl Sunday! We'll be digging into some chili later on tonight while we watch the game. Check out the Eat-Clean Diet for Men for some especially clean and delicious recipes. I highly recommend the Chicken Wings or these Chili Chicken Kabobs! Yum yum yum!

Friday, February 5, 2010

This is it! We are one month away from the 2010 Arnold Sports Festival. I'll be counting down as we prep for the weekend of March 5th, 6th & 7th.

Unfamiliar with the "Arnold" (as we call it)? It's the biggest sports festival in the USA (even next to the Olympics... believe it or not). It's for athletes involved in all sorts of fitness and sporting events from bodybuilding to judo to arm wrestling!

I'll be stationed along with the rest of the crew (Oxygen & Clean Eating) at the trade show in booths 1233-1235 & 1332-1334. It's a really fantastic weekend where I get to meet all of YOU! I love hearing all of the success stories and I love meeting you in person.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Here are some photo ops from my lovely weekend "off" in Miami! As one reader commented "Good dietary habits (and those who espouse them) are never on vacation!" How right you are.

We ate well, played lots, and even learned a little, too. What a nice time in the sunshine. Enjoy!

Bob and I like to have fun! Here we are messing around like we're young or something!

Pretty palm trees near the Shops at Bal Harbour.

Me with a Bottero sculpture. We like to visit art galleries when we travel since it's my husband's other passion. I'm sure you can guess his other passion is bodybuilding. This sculpture is a good combination of the two.

It's so nice to be reminded what summer is like with T-shirts and pastels and warmth and water. I almost forget after spending so many months bundled against the cold in Ontario.

I did lots of running on the beach, weight lifting at the gym with our friends, and trying my hand at tennis. How cute as the little skorts!